It was a weekend of new, personal records for some members of the Boston University track and field team at the John Thomas Terrier Invitational at the Track and Tennis Center, including a new BU record in the 3,000m run.
Friday night was dedicated to the women’s events. Junior Gemma Acheampong led the way for the Terrier sprinters with her fifth-place finish in the 60 meter sprint with a time of 7.67 seconds. Sophomore Christina Wood ran a time of 24.68 in the 200m dash, good enough for a 10th-place finish.
In the mid-distances, senior Carolyn Maynard placed eighth in the 400m final, completing the two laps in 55.73 seconds. Sophomore Jade Paul finished seventh place in the 500m dash, running a 1:14.62.
The distance events proved to be the main source of attraction, with members of the Nike Oregon Project on the track for the second straight week. The Oregon Project is an elite group of professional runners who live and train under coach Alberto Salazar. The aim of the group is to promote distance running throughout the United States.
Track and Field Director Robyne Johnson said she appreciates the Oregon Project and their relationship with the BU track program.
“It just solidifies what we’ve said about how fast our track is and how great our fans are and just how tight the track community is,” Johnson said. “It just really shows how big the sport is in our country and how big Boston fans are and we’re really happy to have them on the track.”
The women’s mile was dominated by two superstars of the sport, high school sensation Mary Cain and Jordan Hasay, both members of the Oregon Project.
Cain, 17, nearly set a world junior record in the mile with her 4:24.11 first-place performance. Hasay finished third in the race with a time of 4:28.37.
For the Terriers, senior Rosa Moriello, coming off of a redshirt season, posted a career best in the 5,000m run with a time of 16:25.33, good for second place.
“She’s really hungry to get better,” Johnson said about Moriello. “She’s done an excellent job and we’re really happy with her progress.”
In the same race, sophomore Michelle Sumner finished ninth in a career-best time of 17:06.24.
It was the men who took to the track Saturday. In their first ever college meet, two freshmen, Ethan Homan and Justin Flynn, stood out for the Terriers. Flynn posted two top-10 finishes, placing fifth in the 60m dash and eighth in the 200m race. Homan ran 1:52.55 in the 800 meter race, good enough for eighth place in the event.
“[Homan and Flynn] did a wonderful job,” Johnson said. “It’s tough coming from high school to Division I track and field and they both made their transition into it excellently. They’ve done a very good job.”
In the field events, senior Blake Edwards jumped 7.08 meters to take first in the long jump. Senior Connor Sullivan placed fourth in the high jump. Sophomore Reuben Horace was impressive in the weight throw, finishing second with a distance of 18.76 meters.
Senior Rich Peters placed third in the 3,000m run with a record time of 7:52.61, breaking a BU record of 7:54.93 set by Eirik Hansen.
“He just gets better year after year,” Johnson said about Peters. “He’s come so far with showing his strengths and his commitment to getting better. We’re looking forward to seeing a mile time our of him at the Valentine Invitational.”
The meet was capped by the performance of Oregon Project member Galen Rupp. Rupp, a silver medalist at the 2012 London games, broke the American record in the two-mile race with a time of 8:07.41. Just nine days prior, Rupp set an American record in the 5,000m at the same track.
Overall, Johnson said she was pleased with her program’s performance during the invitational.
“We stepped up, we had a lot of [personal records],” Johnson said of her team. “I thought they did well. It’s a good step towards getting better each week and achieving our goal of doing the best we can in the Patriot League.”
Jackie is a sports reporter for The Daily Free Press and has previously served as Managing Editor and Associate Sports Editor of the FreeP. At this moment, she's probably watching Shark Tank and thinking of ways to work, "and for that reason, I'm out," into casual conversations. Please send all inquiries in the form of a box combo from Cane's with no coleslaw and extra fries or follow her on Twitter at @jackie_bam
